Keto Cream Cheese Crackers

Craving cheez-its? Just like the American classic, these homemade cheese crackers are crunchy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor.

They’re perfect for an afternoon snack, paired with a delicious keto dip, or as a topping to your soup or salad. And unlike most crackers that are made with all-purpose flour, these cheesy crackers are keto friendly and gluten-free.

Enjoy them right off the wire rack, or store them in an airtight container for later.

3 Health Benefits of Keto Cream Cheese Crackers

#1: Eye Health

Both eggs and green scallions are sources of the eye-health superstar lutein and zeaxanthin. Egg yolks, in particular, happen to be a highly bioavailable source of these nutrients, meaning that your body digests and absorbs them very well[*][*].

Lutein and zeaxanthin are essential components of eye health. Belonging to a group of phytonutrients called carotenoids, they give foods like egg yolk, corn, carrots, and salmon thier orange/yellowish color.

The roles that lutein and zeaxanthin play in eye health are well established. They live in the retina of your eye and protect the macula from damage by blue light (like when you stare at your computer screen too long). They also enhance visual acuity, allowing you your vision to sharpen, and act as antioxidants to protect against oxidative damage to the eye[*].

They’ve also been shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, two eye disorders that tend to happen with age[*].

#2: Good For Your Heart

Cheese crackers for heart health, could it be true?

You bet. In fact, research continues to show that foods containing saturated fat should no longer be seen as a threat to heart health[*][*].

Full fat dairy consumption has even been found to benefit markers of heart disease like inflammation. Researchers believe that it’s the abundance of nutrients in full-fat dairy, plus the high bioavailability that contributes to its health boosting qualities[*].

One survey even found that people who eat the highest amounts of dairy have the lowest levels of inflammatory markers related to heart disease[*]. Quick — someone call 1970 and give them the message!

The almonds in this recipe also have a part to play in heart health. Almonds are a rich source of vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant in your body[*]. When it comes to heart health, keeping oxidation low is key.

You’re probably familiar with the form of cholesterol known as LDL. LDL gets a bad rep, but much like saturated fat, it’s often misunderstood. The real problem with LDL comes when it’s damaged by free radicals in your body — a process known as oxidation. Oxidized LDL is one of the contributing factors to hardening arteries and eventual heart disease.

A study was done assessing the potential role of almonds in reducing risk factors for heart disease. In a dose- response trial it was found that participants consuming the most almonds had the lowest oxidized LDL[*].

#3: Boosts Brain Health

As mentioned before, almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E. Vitamin E plays a variety of important roles in your health. When it comes to your brain, studies have shown a clear association between high levels of vitamin E and improved cognitive performance.

As an antioxidant, Vitamin E protects your cells and tissues from potential damage done by reactive oxygen species(ROS). ROS are a major contributor to neurodegenerative diseases, and as a natural part of aging your brain comes into more contact with ROS. Higher intakes of vitamin E have been associated with delayed cognitive decline, and reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like alzheimer’s[*].

Eggs are a rich source of the essential nutrient choline. Cholines number one job in your body is to assist in the development of your brain and nervous system. For this reason, pregnant women in particular should make sure they’re getting enough choline. In fact, one study showed that when rat pups were fed choline their brains were changed — and they experienced lifelong memory enhancement[*].

One of cholines claims to fame is its role in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an extremely valuable neurotransmitter that’s involved in memory, mood, muscle control, and as mentioned before — brain development[*].